The Changing Landscape of Chaplaincy: Discovering New Models in Times of Challenges and Opportunities

The United States is undergoing paradigmatic demographic, religious, social, and political shifts. One of many resultant trends is the decline in certain historical institutions (religious, educational, etc.) and the rise and growth of others. Chaplaincy is not immune to these realities. Though historically linked to institutionally based health and clinical settings (hospitals, hospices, etc.), chaplaincy is quickly growing in new spaces: community, corporate, educational, athletic, etc. Bringing together insights from ACPE educators, administrators in theological education, and chaplaincy practitioners from different theological streams, along with empirical data, this roundtable will explore emerging spaces for spiritual care training and provision toward transformation and social justice. The panel will examine questions arising from these shifts and opportunities, such as how to define chaplaincy, models for forming and educating chaplains, and economically sustainable models of chaplaincy, with a particular focus on community chaplaincy.